We’re blooming ready to go for golden glory
ROCHDALE in Bloom are welcoming the Royal Horticultural Society judges back to the town in a bid to secure another Gold award.
The team are hoping to repeat the success of last year when they secured gold awards in both the regional North West in Bloom and national Britain in Bloom competitions.
This year Rochdale in Bloom will be showing the judges around 14 awardwinning projects within the town such as the Rochdale AFC Wonderwall, Norden Jubilee Park, Castleton war memorial, Castleton railway station, the Growth Project and Springhill Hospice.
Homelessness charity Petrus has already secured a silver award for their entry at Tatton Park Flower Show this week with their garden, titled Petrus’ Paradise, which
was put together by service users who have experienced homelessness.
The judging starts on Monday, July 22, for the main day, but due to the size of Rochdale In Bloom, they will also be visiting on July 23 and 24, and August 2.
The volunteers have been busy getting ready for the judges arrival - the In Bloom effort starts in Autumn and includes many hours of planning and preparation to ensure each year is bigger and better than the last.
Groups of volunteers have been out each week tending displays, in the hope that each project is up to standard.
New features this year include a bicycle design at Cutgate shops to celebrate the arrival of the Tour of Britain in September, and a rainbow garden near Touchstones to show support for the LGBT+ society, with Rochdale’s first ever Pride event.
The group have been supported by Rochdale Borough Council’s environmental team, a partnership that In Bloom say is vital in the lead-up to the judges visit.
This year In Bloom are sponsored by the Co-Op, alongside H Bell and Sons, who have helped the group prepare.
Chairman of Rochdale in Bloom, Roy Down, said: “The whole 2019 effort is just one big partnership.
“We have the volunteers and community groups, the environmental management team, local councillors and superb sponsors in the Co-op and H Bell and Sons. “Without all of the partners pulling in the same direction we would not be so successful.”
Karen Hayday, committee member of Rochdale In Bloom said: “A long year of meetings, organising, dealing with another flood and growing thousands of plants is coming to a climax. There is still lots to do but finally everything is fitting together nicely, we just have to hope that the sun shines when the judges visit our town.”
The results will be announced at an awards ceremony in Southport on Friday, November 1.